Howdy Do It: My Workspace

Here’s a couple of outtakes from my Closet & Casa post on Oh Joy! So happy to work with Bri & Joy, and of course, Ben Speckmann for taking ze photos. I never would have gotten my shit together to make this happen without you guys. Thank you for that, you’ve all made my week.

So, ladies and gents, I give you…my crap.

Since moving into my new studio space I’ve definitely noticed a major spike in my productivity, I’m billing time AND blogging in the same day! In order to make this what I’ve wanted, I’ve done several rounds of inventory, sorting and purging which lead to many discoveries, like for example, vintage cigar boxes are great for storing sharpies & pencils, post-its, tea, xactos, bone folder, and my good scissors. And I’ve also developed quite the attachment to my tea mug, which came from Sprout Home. It’s handmade porcelain with a chunky knitted wool koozie. Paper storage is always an issue for a graphic designer, thus the file organizers, vintage, from Post 27. In them go various papers stocks, envelopes, zines, tracing paper, moleskins, sketchbooks, etc. My favorite detail on these buddies are a throwback from their previous owner who affixed them with names of countries. No idea why, but that strange addition is why I noticed them in the first place.

I’m also quite pleased with the newest addition to my worklife: an actual office chair of my very own. A very early production Saarinen, she’s a little faded and worn in real life but otherwise perfect. I won ‘er for one cent over the lowest bidding price on bay. It happened on a total whim, but there you have it. Another example of stuff finding its way home.

Not pictured: to-do lists, clipboard, water bottle, lunch, keys, phone, headphones, bills. And of course me, notably absent since I obviously can’t do the work on that computer while I take a picture of it. Speaking of…I really must get back to it. Let’s do this another time though, it is big time fun!

Howdy Do It came from “how do you do it,” the question Margot & Ellie Snow found themselves asking about their freelance lifestyles, and so Howdy Do It was born, a column about the things we do to keep ourselves organized, inspired and on track. Read more here and here.

7 Comments

Howdy! Found your blog via your Closet & Casa column on Oh Joy! I like these photos of your studio space – wish I could see more! Those file organisers are pretty unique, and I love how all your envelopes, tracing paper, sketchbooks, paper stock, etc. brighten up your actual desk. I’m a graphic designer too and I have all of that stuff on my shelf but I do like the colour it adds to your workspace. Anyway, your blog is cool.
Ronnie

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About This Blog

Hi there! My name's Margot, and this is where I share project details, shortcuts, influences, and longer-form essays on the state of design, contemporary art, and technology. You can learn about my work and portfolio here. You can hire me to work on your project or speak at your event here.

I also publish a newsletter on the 3rd Thursday of the month with an in-depth look at my life/ work if you prefer.